P21S Gel vs. Griot's Wheel Cleaner

T

TGates

Active member
These two seem like the two wheel cleaners I'd most likely use on a somewhat regular basis (twice a month or so) because I feel they are pretty safe. Has anyone used both and how do you think they compare? I have only used the P21S and A2Z. Thanks.
 
I've used P21S Gel in the past and it was pretty good. Recently, I tried the Menzerna Wheel cleaner and was very impressed. It's pH balanced. So, it's completely safe to use and has quite a bit of cleaning power. However, it does require some scrubbing which I always do anyway.
 
The P21s gel is more potent than the Griot's. Griot's is sorta comparable to the regular P21S liquid.



But as I'm always saying, I just *never* seem to need such products since I started taking better care of my wheels (polishing/sealing/waxing them), I just use a slightly stronger than normal shampoo mix. One of those things where I think "why didn't I *always* do it this way?" While I go through the same basic motions, they stay cleaner and look a lot better.
 
Accumulator said:
The P21s gel is more potent than the Griot's. Griot's is sorta comparable to the regular P21S liquid.



But as I'm always saying, I just *never* seem to need such products since I started taking better care of my wheels (polishing/sealing/waxing them), I just use a slightly stronger than normal shampoo mix. One of those things where I think "why didn't I *always* do it this way?" While I go through the same basic motions, they stay cleaner and look a lot better.
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I agree with you on using a stronger carwash solution for cleaning certain wheels, but I am looking for something to use on my uncoated, billet aluminum wheels on my motorcycle which, for some reason, get very dirty, very quickly and I need something that will cling to vertical surfaces and saturate, without harming the bare metal at all. I have used P21S Gel on them with good success but I hate that stupid bottle and sprayer.



I guess I'm falling victim to Richard's great marketing/advertising. His wheel cleaner is approved by BBS, and I know BBS makes uncoated billet wheels, so I start thinkin' to myself.... but then again, who's to say other manufacturer's don't use P21S Gel all day every day with great success?
 
Accumulator said:
The P21s gel is more potent than the Griot's. Griot's is sorta comparable to the regular P21S liquid.
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:grrr Years and years ago, I bought both the P21S liquid and gel, and I found the gel to be not noticeably thicker than the liquid, but even so I reserved its use for extreme cases. In the meantime, I went thru a number of bottles of liquid. The gel has a premium price, but since they say you can leave it on the wheel for 2 hours, I presumed it wasn't any more potent, and that you were paying for the gel "convenience". Recently, when AutoSport was cleaning out their P21 stock, I bought a quart of the gel because the liquid was already sold out, figuring I would just use it when my liquid is gone (that old bottle of "thin" gel is about gone). So anyway, someone else told me recently that the gel is really gel now, and now you're saying that it's stronger than the liquid...so do I "need" to have both around?



Not trying to make a big deal about this, I've just never understood the liquid/gel distinction very well with this product.
 
Setec- Yeah, it's not like the gel is super thick or anything but the one time I got a bottle it did seem a bit stronger. Maybe just because it was better at clinging to the wheel :nixweiss





BlackSunshine- Ah, uncoated wheels...been so long since I've had those that I never thought of that! Yeah, you do need something stronger.



I dunno...the P21S is approved by wheel makers too IIRC, they just don't make as big a deal out of it as Richard. But I wouldn't be surprised if the GG's stuff is cheaper if you buy it by the gallon.
 
Can you share why you prefer the P21S over the Griot's?
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Sure. The P21S Gel is very high performing yet gentle. I work it in with a Oxo wheel brush to agitate since Guru talked up the benefits of agitating wheel cleaners. I also like the quality of the sprayer, it spreads a lot out in a fine mist so the product goes a long way.



The Gel is higher performing based on my own tests...by that I mean it cleans better hence the higher price. The non-gel also does decent for well cared for wheels (probably like most of us have) and can be found cheap in a number of stores. There may be some similar (or exact same) S100 products at the local Harley dealer if cost is an issue...



Griot's just never cleaned my wheels as well when I had the 1997 ES.



My regimen now is P21S Gel every 2 weeks, A2Z or new equivalent every 1-2 months before an application of wheel sealant.
 
SilverLexus said:
Sure. The P21S Gel is very high performing yet gentle. I work it in with a Oxo wheel brush to agitate since Guru talked up the benefits of agitating wheel cleaners. I also like the quality of the sprayer, it spreads a lot out in a fine mist so the product goes a long way.



The Gel is higher performing based on my own tests...by that I mean it cleans better hence the higher price. The non-gel also does decent for well cared for wheels (probably like most of us have) and can be found cheap in a number of stores. There may be some similar (or exact same) S100 products at the local Harley dealer if cost is an issue...



Griot's just never cleaned my wheels as well when I had the 1997 ES.



My regimen now is P21S Gel every 2 weeks, A2Z or new equivalent every 1-2 months before an application of wheel sealant.
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Thanks for your feeback. I can get the S100 labelled wheel cleaner locally and I'm going to assume it's pretty darn close to the P21S. I just don't know if it's the gel or not. I'm afraid to put anything on my uncoated billet wheels as far as wax or sealant goes so I have to rely on a wheel cleaner and a QD with an old MF towel for clean up.



Sorry if it has already been mentioned, but is Griot's a gel?
 
Accumulator said:
Griot's is sorta comparable to the regular P21S liquid.
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I'm in 110% agreement. The standard P21S is directly comparable to the Griot's. Griot's is an exceptional value when purchased by the gallon.



I can't see the need for P21S gel as your weekly "go to" wheel cleaner unless you're working on other cars that are not routinely maintained.



I have used many bottles of all three products. They're all 1st class.
 
SilverLexus said:
My regimen now is P21S Gel every 2 weeks, A2Z or new equivalent every 1-2 months before an application of wheel sealant.
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Why do you have to use wheel cleaner at all on your sealed wheels? Do they not come clean with ordinary car soap?
 
hadboosttroy said:
i just ordered some dp gel from autogeek, and this stuff is pretty good, water based, safe on all wheels, good price. just something to think about.
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Cool, I must have overlooked that product. I've been meaning to try something from the DP line...
 
SilverLexus said:
Griot's just never cleaned my wheels as well ..My regimen now is P21S Gel every 2 weeks, A2Z or new equivalent every 1-2 months before an application of wheel sealant.
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This is a good example of how you have to find the wheel wash (product and regimen) that works for *you* in *your* situation: Note that I got away from using the Griot's because it was so much *stronger* than I need and it compromised the LSP on my wheels while SilverLexus got away from it because he needs something stronger on *his* sealed wheels. IMO this really is one of those things were you just have to try stuff.



BlackSunshine- The Griot's is a liquid, a slightly less-chemically seeming version of the P21S. Both can be diluted with water, BTW.
 
tom p. said:
The standard P21S is directly comparable to the Griot's. Griot's is an exceptional value when purchased by the gallon.
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If it's comparable, it's a good value even when purchased in the liter bottle...I'm going to try a bottle since I have finally succumbed to Accumulator's continual praise of the Griot's wash...I gotta see what all the fuss is about :o
 
Setec, you won't regret it and you'll find it very similar. It's fraction of the cost of P21S when purchased in the gallon size.



If cost were no object, I'd use the P21S. However, on stuff like this, price does come into play (for me) and the P21S has grown $$$ even in those nice 5L containers. It's now $85 for that size.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
..I have finally succumbed to Accumulator's continual praise of the Griot's wash...I gotta see what all the fuss is about..
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Hope you like it, that'd be a bit of money down the tubes if you don't think it's anything special :o But yeah, I swear by the stuff...



The wheel cleaner might work OK for you diluted too, you'd stretch it out a bit that way. But the Car Wash works awfully well on wheels if you mix it up a bit strong and use it in a spray bottle. Let it dwell for a little while before you start agitating and you might not even *need* any wheel cleaner.
 
I don't use wheel cleaner anymore really, except sometimes on my old car, and of course, friends/relatives. I always liked what the P21S runoff did for cleaning the tires, tho, so I may use the Griot's that way. If I don't like the wash, maybe I'll donate it to you through Spilchy, since he knows the location of the "bat cave" :p
 
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